Back when I was living in Columbus, Ohio my friends and I started a quote wall. Whenever a bit of brilliance (or otherwise) poured out of someone’s mouth, somebody would yell “Quote!” thus nominating it for Quote Board status. The quote then had to be seconded by someone (it almost always was), and then it would be written down to be forever immortalized on the Quote Board.

…someone in our neighborhood has decided to shine a light on these dark days by leaving positive, chalk-written messages on area sidewalks and exterior walls.

Of course, positive messages don’t fully make up for the fact that 60 million Americans knowingly and willingly voted a racist into the White House, but it’s a great reminder that not everyone in this country is completely insane.

The former is a parenting book about letting your kids be free to, you know, be kids. I had never read a parenting book before and, honestly, I only read this one because I knew it lined up with what I was already doing.

The book outlines a lot of common sense stuff—allow your kids to play by themselves; don’t hover over them all the time; encourage them to problem solve on their own, etc.—but it was still good to read a fellow parent validating what we’re doing.

The latter is a book about writing. Like Free-Range Kids, Bird By Bird is filled with a lot of common sense tips—write every day; write about what you know; create a schedule and stick to it, etc.—but again, sometimes it’s good to read things you already know and have your creative way of working validated.

I don’t know how helpful the book will be—it won’t help me with writer’s block, for example, as I’m fortunate enough not to suffer from it—but it’s a good solid read if anyone out there is looking to learn more about the creative writing process.

I’m currently reading the autobiography(ish) Mo’ Meta Blues: The World According to Questlove by Ahmir “?uestlove” Thompson and Ben Greenman (as on loan from the Library of Milan).

I just started it yesterday, but I’m devouring it quickly. If you have any interest in ?uestlove, music, or growing up as a creative weirdo, check it out.